Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian visited the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) at NCIP Central Office, Quezon City on 12 April 2023.

 

The purpose of the meeting is to provide situational update on the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in the country and to further discuss ways to work with DSWD in the implementation of programs for ICCs/IPs.

 

Representing the NCIP were Chairperson Allen A. Capuyan and six (6) Ethnographic Commissioners, Central Office Bureau Directors and Division Chiefs; while Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian represented DSWD. Also present, via Zoom, were NCIP Regional Directors and Provincial Officers.

The chairperson welcomed Sec. Gatchalian and took the opportunity to orient and discuss programs, future projects, and mandate of the NCIP. Chairperson Capuyan, himself, presented the current situation of ICCs/IPs in the country.

 

He highlighted the operationalization of the eleven (11) Building Blocks of Resilient, Responsive, and Relevant ICCs/IPs in Ancestral Domains; and strengthening Indigenous Political Structure in the country’s ICCs/IPs.

 

During the discussions, Secretary Gatchalian commended NCIP’s efforts regarding the 11 Building Blocks but suggested to prioritize implementation of specific building blocks e.g., confirmation of Indigenous Political Structures to ensure its accomplishment in the medium term. He also stressed that it should have measurable performance indicators to monitor progress and guarantee targets are achieved.

 

As ways forward, it was agreed to activate the Interagency Management Committee among DSWD supervised agencies to better contextualized programs and increased interface among ICCs/IPs; NCIP to collaborate with the Department on the Balik Probinsya Program, in which DSWD continues to implement; and, a focal person will be assigned to NCIP to strengthen partnership and coordination between the agencies to ensure the welfare and security of ICCs/IPs are respected, recognized, and protected.

 

To cap the meeting, Chairperson Capuyan, together with NCIP Commissioners, provided Secretary Gatchalian copies of the Project Epanaw’s Coffee Table Books and posters of the 11 Building Blocks.